Alexander Sorloth nets four, fastest La Liga hat-trick as Atletico Madrid crush Real Sociedad

NEW DELHI: Alexander Sorloth netted four goals during the initial half-hour period, guiding Atletico Madrid towards a commanding 4-0 triumph against Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.The Norwegian striker's quartet of goals ensured Atletico strengthened their position in third, whilst La Real dropped to 12th spot.Sorloth achieved his hat-trick within the first 11 minutes, setting a new La Liga record. This surpassed previous achievements from 1929 and 1941, when Europa's Carles Bestit and Valencia's Mundo scored their trebles by the 15th minute.Diego Simeone, Atletico's manager, has typically utilised Sorloth as a substitute this season. However, the 29-year-old demonstrated his capabilities when given a starting role with an impressive opening display.The ex-Real Sociedad forward dismantled his former club, opening his account at seven minutes with a precise finish from Pablo Barrios' delivery.Three minutes later, Sorloth struck again, sending a powerful shot from the box's edge beyond Alex Remiro's reach.His third goal, arriving in the 11th minute, resulted from poor Real Sociedad defending, allowing him an easy finish from close range.The 30th minute saw Sorloth complete his scoring spree, converting Javi Galan's low cross with authority.Previously, Villarreal sustained their Champions League qualification pursuit with a narrow 1-0 victory at Girona.The Yellow Submarine, positioned fifth with five teams qualifying, secured three points through Karl Etta Eyong's 89th-minute header at Montilivi against struggling Girona.The Catalan side were without their manager Michel Sanchez, who remains in hospital for observation as a "precaution", according to Girona's Friday announcement, regarding an unspecified condition.Despite controlling proceedings, Villarreal only broke through when Alfonso Pedraza's cross found Cameroon-born midfielder Eyong.The win places Villarreal alongside fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao on 61 points, maintaining a four-point advantage over sixth-placed Real Betis, who face Osasuna on Sunday.Mallorca, ninth-placed, maintained their European qualification hopes by defeating relegated Real Valladolid 2-1.Sunday's fixture sees league leaders Barcelona confront second-placed Real Madrid in a crucial Clasico that could determine the Spanish championship outcome.